A Sylvie picture too!

A nice day

Saturday we took the girls out to the country house.  We went for a long walk around the farm using our new back pack (Thanks EarthWays Crew!)  The red one that Sylvie is in is from EWC.

We went down to the river, and the girls had a great time splashing in the water.  Hank was especially happy to be out as well.  After swimming we had lunch, a short cat nap, then back to the city... where Sylvie spent the evening not feeling so well.

Thankfully she is nearly back to her usual self this morning.

Breakfast...

finally home...

Finally here, and settling in.  The flight was quite possibly one of the worst days we've had, but, now jet lag is clearing... Elsie is settling in and Sylvia is an absolute angel.

Everyday we are seeing more openings into Elsie, Sylvie is being very loving to her.

Elsie is super scared of Hank (our lab), but seems to be getting better too... we are just trying to keep them seperate and give hank lots of love and bones.

We will try to get some more photos up soon, thank you all for following and for your emails and calls of support and encouragement, I think we are over the hump, and things are getting easier... as easy as can be I guess with a 15 and 18 month old!

hello from Detroit... finally almost

Jet lag...

Hi All,

Sorry we have not posted, been dragging since we got home.

Elsie is slowly easing into life here, still clinging to me; but, starting to let go to play and let Anna feed her.  I will get some photos up soon, and hope to keep the blog going for a bit as Elsie settles in here... until she can start meeting all of you.

On the way to the airport, we passed that tall building again, It is the tallest building in China at 610 meters!  Whoa that is tall.

some of our new friends...

cool bridge

looking forward to seeing everyone

blurry I know, but thought you might like the coloring of the tall building

A cruise on the Pearl river

Last evening we took a river boat cruise on the Pearl, was pretty cool cruising through the 4th largest city in China.  Got to see also one of the tallest buildings in China, it was all lit up like a rainbow.

This morning we are packing for home, trying to fit everything into our existing suitcases without buying any more.  Will be tight; but, fine... Anna is so good at packing.

This afternoon we go to pick up Elsie's visa and passport from the US consulate, then on to the train station where we take a two hour train trip into Hong Kong.  There we stay at the airport hotel, and get up and get outa here at 9am!  YEAH!  Finally!  We are so ready to be home!  Miss Sylvie so.  And looking forward to getting back into our home... thanks so much to Nate and Doris for managing the house work while we were away!

a nice shot out our window

Additional menu items?

They also offered, toads, frogs, snakes (all live) as well as the usual eels, crabs, etc.

These toads were kinda expensive, so I avoided them... they were about 7 dollars.  Must be good eh?

Budweiser beer babe

We walked down the street a ways to an outdoor restaurant for dinner last night, while there, along came the Bud Beer Babe opening beverages.  I tried best I could to tell her we are from the home of Bud... but, it just didn't work.

So, I thought I would take a photo to show you all, the china version of a beer gal.

Dinner was only OK, super spicy chicken... they leave the bones in it here, and just cleaver it into pieces... not sure why, maybe they just like spitting out bones.

Also, had one of Anna's favorites, an onion pancake, and some hot / sour tofu.

Neat restaurant though.

Elsie kisses

I just told Elsie to go give mamma a kiss, and she toddled over and kissed Anna on the cheek... made the afternoon better.

a long walk

Yesterday eve, we walked for some time up the Pearl river, stopped at an electronics market which was wild... people going everywhere dealing in cell phone parts... Need a screen for an iphone?  They got it.  It was amazing the the amount of stuff going in and out of that market.

We had an early evening following, we went back to Lucy's for a grilled cheese and some happy hour Carlsberg beers, another little taste of home.

It was nice sitting on the patio there, relaxing.

Today, we hopped in a taxi and went to the big electronics market, again, was just overwhelmed with the amount of stuff.  Just the second hand market was like the size of our west county shopping mall.  I came very close to buying a new used camera... was about 25% cheaper than US.

Following that, we went back to the jade market for some gifts and then wound our way on foot back through the city to the hotel.  Along the way, we passed many stinky markets full of crazy foods and fish.  Whole dried fish... 3' long hanging in store fronts.  I am sorry I don't have some photos for you, but between the smell, and some one I know that had an urge for the bathroom... we were in a bit of hurry through that market area :).

One really disturbing thing we saw, were two street vendors selling tiger's leg's / feet!  They had been skinned of meat; but, fur left on the paw to make it obvious where the giant claws were from... we were both totally taken back, and talked about it a number of times on the way back.

By the time we returned we were cooked, and now have been relaxing for a couple hours.  Considering what to do for dinner.... maybe the conveyor belt sushi?  That is what I am kinda thinking.

First the pool though...

More later.

Did I mention we would both get on a plane right now if we could?  Just looking forward to getting home with Elsie to see Sylvie and everyone!

a big smile

In the hotel lobby

The red couch day

Traditionally all the families get together to pile their children, in traditional dress, on to the red couches of the Swan hotel.

Here is a photo of Elsie in her dress.

another day, getting better all the time

Today is Tuesday here...

Elsie is being pretty good for Anna, she let her pick her up a couple times and skype with Ray and Doris.

Our day is free today, headed to breakfast then maybe back to the Jade market and to tour around downtown, maybe check out a temple, pass the time and look forward to coming home.

Will post some more photos soon.